Academy Awards Acceptance Speeches | Margaret Herrick Library | Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences

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Year: 1985 (58th) Academy Awards

Category: Honorary Award

Winner: To Paul Newman, in recognition of his many and memorable compelling screen performances and for his personal integrity and dedication to his craft. (accepted via satellite from Chicago)

Presenter: Sally Field

Date & Venue: March 24, 1986; Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

PAUL NEWMAN:
Thank you, Sally. Thank you for being there.

I certainly want to thank the members of the Academy. And I'm especially grateful that this did not come wrapped as a gift certificate to Forest Lawn. Spencer Tracy, so the legend goes, was accosted by a young man who said, "I'm gonna be an actor." And Tracy replied, "That's terrific, just don't let 'em catch you at it." I don't know where I am on the learning curve, but I do know that tonight has provided a lot of nourishment and a kind of permission, I think, to risk and maybe surprise myself a little bit in the hope that my best work is down the pike in front of me and not in back of me. Thank you.

© Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
[Note: All winners are present except where noted; NOT all winners may have spoken.]

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